Focus Antitrust 15 July 2020
In The News
CMA imposes fines of £2.3 million on suppliers of fludrocortisone acetate tablets
The CMA has imposed fines of £2.3 million on suppliers of fludrocortisone acetate tablets for agreeing not to compete with one another. Click here.
CMA closes three investigations into excessive pricing of hand sanitiser
The CMA has closed three of its four investigations into excessive pricing of hand sanitiser during the coronavirus pandemic, concluding that the relevant retailers’ prices do not, or are unlikely to, amount to an abuse of dominance. Click here.
CMA issues supplementary statement of objections in liothyronine excessive pricing case
The CMA has issued a supplementary statement of objections in relation to its liothyronine excessive pricing case. The statement addresses issues arising from the Court of Appeal’s judgment of 10 March 2020 in the phenytoin litigation – a case which relates to excessive and unfair pricing in the pharmaceuticals sector. Click here.
EU
European Commission
- The European Commission is consulting on commitments offered by Aspen to reduce prices for six off-patent cancer medicines by 73% to address the Commission's concerns over excessive pricing. Click here.
- The European Commission has fined ethylene purchasers €260 million for engaging in a purchasing cartel, after the companies agreed to settle with the Commission. Click here.
- The European Commission has cleared Lotos' acquisition by PKN Orlen, subject to conditions. Click here.
UK
CMA
- The CMA has referred the anticipated acquisition by Taboola.com Ltd of Outbrain Inc. for an in-depth phase 2 merger investigation. Click here.
Our thinking
When can you set off claims against different elements of a project
The Court’s decision raises important drafting considerations for construction contracts involving multiple elements of a project.
Drafting terms and conditions or negotiating a contract? Be wary of "unusual" and "exorbitant" exclusion clauses
When drafting a set of terms and conditions, companies must adhere to the requirements contained in the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977
Phil Webb
Stop, collaborate and listen: Top 10 Tips with Collaboration Agreements
Providing you with the top ten tips on collaboration agreements - what should you know?
Preparing your company for sale
We set out here some initial steps to consider in anticipation of a sale.
Bart Peerless
ESG investment and the challenges for trustees
What challenges does the ESG revolution present for trustees of private family trusts?
Emma Humphreys
The impact of COVID-19 on commercial and residential tenancies
What impact has COVID-19 had on commercial and residential tenancies? Read more here.
Mark Howard
Charles Russell Speechlys advises discoverIE on its acquisition of Antenova
discoverIE is a leading international designer, manufacturer and supplier of customised electronics to industry.
Lauren Fraser
Q&A: Separate blocks, common parts and enfranchisement
Miriam Seitler and Lauren Fraser answer queries relating to leaseholders seeking to acquire the freehold.
Caroline Swain
2020: Influencer, 2021: Creative Director – what could go wrong?
Emma Humphreys
Coded messages for landlords and tenants
“What does the code of practice mean for landlords and tenants? Read more here”
Sarah Higgins
The family court’s role in micro managing 'trivial' disputes
The recent decision has dealt with the family court’s role in micro managing “trivial” disputes in relation to children
Matthew Radcliffe
Taxing horizons and fiscal black holes
A super-massive black hole at the centre of the nation’s finances means that tax reform and rates rises look increasingly likely.
Mark Howard
Charles Russell Speechlys advises Acora on acquisition of Westgate IT
Westgate IT specialises in providing IT support to businesses in the South West.
Jason Saiban
Jason Saiban writes for Food Manufacture on the food industry's climate change challenge
The key challenge will be how the environmental targets are actually met.
Emma Humphreys
Q&A: Wrestling with restrictive covenants
Camilla Lamont (barrister at Landmark Chambers) and Real Estate Disputes Partner Emma Humphreys answer a pair of covenant queries
Helen Wong
Charles Russell Speechlys advises Grape Paradise on the acquisition of a fine wine business
Charles Russell Speechlys has advised Grape Paradise on the acquisition of the Sarment Group in the China Mainland territories.
Grab the tail by the horns - Why is tail spend so critical in today’s outsourced portfolio?
It’s usually invisible, but in all likelihood, you’ve got tail spend.
Michael O'Connor
Collateral Warranties – Are they also a ‘Construction Contract’?
What are collateral warranties and what do they mean for your construction contracts? Read more here.
Katie Talbot
Succession Planning for Landed Estates
The first in our series of articles on succession planning for landed estates covering a wide variety of matters.